Bangladesh won their Twenty20 series against Ireland with a match still left to play thanks to their thrilling one-run win in Stormont. With Ireland needing 10 to win off the final over, Mahmudullah restricted them to two off the first three before bowling Andrew Poynter and Ed Joyce with his next two to leave Ireland needing eight from the final delivery. Trent Johnston hit it for six but it was to no avail.

Joyce had set up Ireland’s pursuit of Bangladesh’s 146 for six in conjunction with Gary Wilson. The pair had added 55 for the third wicket, but Bangladesh’s spinners again bowled well. Elias Sunny led the way with two for 18, while Abdur Razzak also picked up two wickets as the visitors used 16 overs of spin in total.

The match had begun quietly for the tourists as they lost Tamim Iqbal in the fourth over with only 12 on the board. Trent Johnston again bowled immaculately on his way to figures of one for 20, while George Dockrell (none for 25) and Kevin O’Brien (one for 23) also returned respectable figures.

Nasir Hossain ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides. He provided Bangladesh with late momentum – they scored 23 from the final 11 deliveries of their innings – and played the role that Ziaur Rahman had played to perfection yesterday. He ended on 50 from only 33 balls and hit four fours and two sixes.

The final match in the series is tomorrow at the same venue and begins at 1500 GMT.